St Michael and All Angels' Church

The East Window – is by Clayton and Bell. The central panel depicts the risen Christ with his right hand raised in blessing, and holding a victory banner in his left hand commemorating his triumph over sin and death. In the two small triangular panels above are the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying Christ’s presence at the beginning and end of time (In the Bible, see Revelation chapter I verse 8) This window also commemorates the dedication of the church to St Michael & All Angels. Hilltop churches like these, are often dedicated to St Michael and he appears in the top panel, bearing the sword with which he fought against the dragon ( Revelation chapter 12 verse 7). Angels appear in the other tracery lights as well as in the three main lights at the bottom. In the left hand main light, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce the coming birth of Christ (Luke chapter 1 verses 26-28); in the centre light an angel guards the empty tomb following Christ’s resurrection from death (Matthew chapter 28 verses 2-7); in the right hand light an angel releases the apostle Peter from prison (Acts chapter 12 verse 7). Below the East Window is the Reredos by Burrow depicting ‘Christ and the Ministering Angels’. 

The Mosaic Roundels – contain abbreviations of the name ‘Jesus Christ’ in the Greek.

The Sedilia – are two arched recesses on the south side of the Chancel, providing seats for use by clergy during the service of Holy Communion. 

The Piscina – is situated in the smaller arched recess next to the SediIla and was used for washing the Communion vessels of the end of the service. The drain discharges directly to the ground, as in pre-reformation times, when it was deemed inappropriate for remnants of the consecrated wine to discharge other than into consecrated ground. 

The Holy Table – is the table around which Christian believers gather as a family, to celebrate Holy Communion or The Lords Supper as it is also known – a ceremonial family meal instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ himself for his friends, and on the evening before he was put to death by being nailed on a cross, the Roman means of execution. Because of the remote position of the original Holy Table at the east end of the chancel a smaller portable table and set of rails were introduced in 1988. and these are normally placed forward of the chancel arch and so closer to the congregation. 

The Cross – is a common symbol within the Christian Church and it may be found in various forms all around the building. The fact that it is an empty cross is a reminder that Christ’s death was not the end of his life and ministry, but that he is alive today, and ready to welcome all who turn to him in faith for forgiveness. 

The Font – is traditionally placed near the entrance to the building to signify that entry into membership of the Church is through baptism. This font was first moved from the west end in 1976 and then to its present location in 1988. Parents bringing their children for baptism, and adults being baptised, thus now stand in full view of the congregation and are reminded of the implications of the vows they are making. 

The Lectern – formerly stood on the south side of the Chancel arch, opposite the pulpit. It supported two Bibles, one for the Old Testament reading and the other for the reading from the New Testament. It now holds just one Bible, kept open as constant reminder that our faith and actions are to be in accordance with the will of God as revealed to us through the Bible.

The Pulpit – is the place where the preacher stands to explain the message of the Bible, the written Word of God. The words carved into the rail to the pulpit steps are a reminder both to the preacher and the congregation, that fundamental to the life of the Church is the death of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, by which he secures forgiveness and new life to all who trust in him. 

The Roof – thought by some to be the best feature of the building. It is entirely of pitch pine and the main trusses are secured with wooden pegs.

The Patterned Brickwork – may arise from the influence of architect William ButterfieId who was a master of this technique, and who used it to stunning effect at All Saints Church, Margaret Street in London. Here in St Michael’s, perhaps a little more thought was required to ensure that the patterns fitted more comfortably with the other architectural features of the building. 

Chancel – is the eastern part of the building, from the Latin ‘cancellus’ meaning screen or lattice. Dates from the time when this part of a church was screened off from the congregation – but never in St Michael’s of course. 

Nave – is the main part of the building where the congregation sits – from the Latin ‘navis’ meaning ship, which this part of the church is thought to resemble. The ship is sometimes used as a symbol of the Church in which the faithful are born safely over the Sea of life.

Transepts – are the extensions at right angles to the main axis of a church from the Latin ‘trans’ meaning across, and ‘saeptum’ meaning enclosure.

A brass tablet to the memory of Arthur Pryor was put on the north wall of the Church in 1908 and it has been the desire of all concerned over the years that this beautiful building he gave to Galleywood should be maintained in as perfect a condition as possible and improved in keeping with current developments.

Lighting – An Acetylene lighting plant was installed in 1908 at a cost of £39. This was replaced in 1935 by electric lighting through the generosity of Mrs Lavinia Keene. In 1966, the Church was rewired and new lighting installed, using fluorescent tubes and tungsten spot lamps, at cost of £540. These units began to fail in 2002 and were relaced by the current lighting installation at the beginning of 2003, at a cost of some £17,000. 

Heating – The original heating apparatus was replaced in 1914 – two more radiators being added at the same time. Further improvement was made in I927 and finally in 1957, an oil fired heating system was installed. This lasted until 2007 when the boiler failed and was replaced at a cost of £10,000

Organ – The organ was built by Conacher & Co of Birmingham and was formerly in Slough Parish Church. It was brought to Galleywood in 1924, re-erected and improved by Mr R Mead of Chelmsford and at the same time it was insured for £1,000. It had 23 stops including a 16 ft Violene on the pedal, and was dedicated on March 1924 by the Bishop of Chelmsford. Then, by a generous gift from Mrs Adams, the organ was rebuilt and the consol resited in 1953. In 2007 the blower failed and was replaced and asbestos removed from the blower chest.

Bells – In 1926, the bells were rehung on ball bearings, the bell frame was strengthened and sallie guides were fitted. This work was carried out by Day & Son of Eye, Suffolk at a cost of £147. It was found in 1962 that the bell frame needed to be replaced, and a steel one was then installed, the work being carried out by Mears & Stainbank of Whitechapel at a cost of £1,000.

Tower Screen – This was added in 1955 in memory of Miss Helen Godwin, and later the ringing chamber was fully partitioned off from the nave by a glazed screen.

Pulpit Handrail – The original rail was replaced by the Revd F A Roughton (Vicar 1921 - 1958). in memory of his first wife, the late Mrs E B Roughton. Later a Clergy Stall in light oak was given in his memory by his second wife to commemorate his many years of service to the Parish.

Church Gates – These were erected in 1956 and dedicated as a token of gratitude to Mrs Lavinia Keene for her great generosity to Church & Parish. The gates were originally surmounted by two wood carvings – a delightful owl on the left and a crown and orb on the right, but alas no more.

Toilets – One ‘Elsan’ bucket in an outhouse until 1979 when the Church Council decided that the building must be connected to the main drainage. The sum of £15,000 was raised to achieve this, together with the erection of a small kitchen and toilet block at the south east corner of the building.

More Recent Changes – A new sound system incorporating a LOOP facility for the hard of hearing was installed in 2000 and a Welcome Desk in memory of Henry Wreathall was given and dedicated in 2003.  Disabled access and facilities have been improved, coupled with a refurbishment of the entrance porch which we have been able to do because of a memorial gift. So the present generation continues to care for and enhance Galleywood’s wonderful gift from Arthur Pryor of this Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels